Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Blackmore End, Hertfordshire
Chimney surveys in Blackmore End from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Cracked or missing flaunching
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
For landlords and managing agents
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Blackmore End and across Hertfordshire can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
How a chimney survey works in Blackmore End
Many homes have chimneys that are no longer used. A disused stack still needs looking after. If it has been capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside it. Our survey looks at how each unused stack has been capped and checks the breasts for damp. The report sets out what we found and what we recommend. If you’ve noticed eroded joints in the brickwork and spalled or crumbling bricks, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like Blackmore End may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Blackmore End (AL4)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Chimney surveys around Blackmore End
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. Shaw's Corner, about 1.6 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Blackmore End. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For an older house near a landmark like St Peter, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look. If you look after a building such as Kimpton Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. If you own a rental within reach of Harpenden station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Blackmore End is about 2 miles north-east of Harpenden, in Hertfordshire. We cover Blackmore End and the rest of Hertfordshire, as part of our work across London and the South East. Across Hertfordshire, we cover Blackmore End. You can also see our page for Milton Keynes.
We survey roofs across the AL4 postcode area for chimney surveys and the streets around it. That includes homes and businesses on Kimpton Road, Beech Way and The Drive and the roads around them. Other places close to Blackmore End include Porter's End (1 mile north-west), Mackerye End (1 mile south-west), The Folly (1 mile south), Lea Valley (1 mile south-west) and Bower Heath (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Watford (13 miles south), Hemel Hempstead (9 miles south-west), Stevenage (7 miles north-east), St Albans (6 miles south), Welwyn Garden City (5 miles south-east) and Hitchin (8 miles north).
Around Blackmore End
Around Blackmore End, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Cross Keys Public House and Sir John Lawes School. The nearest railway station is Harpenden station, roughly 2.6 miles south-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include St Albans City Hospital (5.6 miles south) and Harpenden Museum (2.9 miles south-west). Open spaces near Blackmore End include Stocking Springs Wood.
The survey, step by step
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photos. On timing, most surveys take about 1–2 hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. Somewhere as small as Blackmore End, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- The top of each stack is checked for cracked flaunching and loose pots.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
How to prepare
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Keep pets in another room
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
Roof by roof
Flaunching
Flaunching takes the worst of the weather. The survey checks for cracking and gaps around each pot.
Chimney pots and cowls
Each pot is bedded into the flaunching, frequently with a cowl or cap on top. The survey looks for cracked, loose or missing pots and cowls.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Damp in a chimney breast normally gets worse while the cause is left. It can stain walls and damage plaster. Knowing whether it’s the flaunching, flashings, brickwork or ventilation means the right fix can be planned. Older and listed buildings around Blackmore End may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book us in Blackmore End
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Visits on any day of the week
- PI and public liability insurance
- An independent look at the roof
Common questions in Blackmore End
Can a landlord with a rental near Harpenden station book a roof survey?
Of course. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
Do you cover smaller places like Blackmore End?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
How do I book a survey in Blackmore End?
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us the address and what you need to know. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Will you check the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. Please clear anything stored under the hatch.
Do I need to be at home?
It depends on what we need to see. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
Do you inspect the flue?
No. It is not a flue, sweep or gas safety inspection. We check the stack, pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings, and damp inside and flag anything that suggests the flue needs a look.
What does a chimney survey cover?
The whole stack, as far as it can be seen safely: pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, bricks and flashings. Leaning, unused stacks and damp on chimney breasts are recorded too.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking, as it helps us focus the survey.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Find out whether changes to a stack need permission
- Check your stacks from the ground after strong winds
If the stack is shared, you can pass the report to your neighbour. It shows what we found and where from the viewpoints we used.
Get small mortar repairs done while they’re small. Small repairs now can save bigger work later.